Nearly 300 western Pennsylvania veterans have been referred to Pittsburgh-based UPMC while the Department of Veterans Affairs attempts to sort out the backlogs in local VA hospitals, according to a report from the Tribune Live.
The VA reportedly gave veterans the option of visiting UMPC or other private providers in lieu of VA hospital care, to ensure no veteran was waiting for care more than 30 days.
In late May, disclosure of a secret wait list to Congress revealed nearly 700 veterans were left waiting one year or more for medical care from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, according to the report.
The referrals to UPMC, which has had a referral relationship with the Pittsburgh VA in the past, will continue until the VA is able to provide veterans care within 30 days, a VA spokesman said in the report. So far, there have been no problems with patient data or patient care in the transfer, according to the report.
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